Holding tank system

ABSTRACT

A holding tank system suitable for storage of live fish, crustacea and other aquatic animals includes a holding tank assembly and a transportable support, such as a skid or base for supporting the holding tank assembly during transportation as well as installation. At an installation site, the holding tank assembly is installed with the base forming part of the holding tank system. The holding tank system also includes a filter tank assembly and a housing for water conditioning apparatus which may also be supported on the base. Optionally the filter tank assembly may be supported on a separate base both for transportation and installation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relation relates to a holding tank system suitable forstorage of live fish crustacea and other aquatic animals.

BACKGROUND ART

One holding tank which is known for the abovementioned purpose isAustralian Patent Specification 595542 and this refers to a holding tankhaving a layer of particulate material or shellgrit to function as abiological filter which is supported on a perforated tray. The shellgritmay also carry a culture of bacteria which may denitrify contaminants,e.g. faeces produced by aquatic animals in the holding tank. There isalso provided water conditioning means associated with the holding tankwhich includes a pump, a refrigeration unit and water spray unit. Thepump may draw water from the tank through the shellgrit and into aconduit which passes through the refrigeration unit and subsequently thespray unit which returns the water to the tank. The water spray maybreak up any floating scum material into small pieces which may beremoved by a skimmer associated wit the tank. The skimmer is connectedto the water conditioning means by appropriate valving.

The holding tank arrangement shown in Patent Specification 595542 isefficient in operation and relatively economic to operate. However, theholding tank system as described in Patent 595542 was a fixed orpermanent installation and this meant that it was necessary to build aconcrete slab so as to support the holding tank with the filter tankbeing supported on the ground and the components of the waterconditioning apparatus also being supported on the ground adjacent theconcrete slab. It was a time consuming process to fully install theholding tank system of Patent 595542 since it was not only necessary toform the concrete slab but also set up the water conditioning meansincluding interconnecting the components of the water conditioning meansto each other as well as to the filter tank and the holding tank.

The conventional holding tank system as described above especially if alarge holding tank was required often needed to be completely installedin concrete and this provided disadvantages to the owner of the holdingtank if it was necessary that he transferred his operation to anothersite. This was frequently necessary if the owner of the holding tankrented or leased the factory which incorporates the holding tank. Insuch circumstances the demolition which was required to remove the tankcould sometimes exceed a week or more and this involved a substantialloss to the owner owing to lack of storage space for the aquaticanimals. It will also be borne in mind that it is frequently the casethat when a business is expanding or in the reverse situation when abusiness is contracting that frequent changes of premises may benecessary and this will means that the abovementioned problems in regardto fixed holding tanks for aquatic animals may be exacerbated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore is an object of the present invention to provide aholding tank system for marine animals which may alleviate at least tosome extent the aforementioned difficulties associated with the priorart.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a holdingtank system for storage of live seafood including:

(i) a holding tank assembly; and

(ii) a transportable support base for said holding tank assembly; and

(iii) a plurality of conduits located beneath said support base forliquid communication with said holding tank assembly.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofinstallation of a holding tank system including a holding tank assemblywhich includes the steps of:

(i) mounting the holding tank assembly onto a transportable support basewherein a plurality of conduits associated with the holding tankassembly are located beneath said transportable support base; and

(iii) installing the transportable support base at the installation sitewhereby said transportable support base forms a permanent part of theholding tank system.

In cases where the holding tank assembly is relatively small e.g. lessthan 2.5 tonne in seafood capacity weight both the holding tank assemblyand a filter tank assembly may be supported by a common transportablesupport base.

However, where the holding tank is relatively large e.g. greater than2.5 tonne in seafood capacity weight the holding tank assembly and thefilter tank assembly may be supported by different or separatetransportable support bases.

Therefore in relation to the present invention "transportable supportbase" may include a common support base for both the holding tankassembly and the filter tank assembly as well as separate bases.

The transportable support base may also support a housing which mayaccommodate suitable water conditioning apparatus such as a pump,filters such as activated charcoal filters, a pre-filter and coolingapparatus inclusive of refrigeration assemblies.

The support base may be provided with a plurality of attachment pointsor locations whereby crane hooks, for example, may be attached.Preferably the support base may comprise a support frame suitably havinga plurality of longitudinal frame members interconnected by a pluralityof transverse frame members. In another possible arrangement the basemay comprise a single sheet or support plate. However, the formerarrangement of longitudinal frame members and transverse frame membersare preferred.

The support base may also include a plurality of longitudinal recessesfor accommodation of the plurality of conduits.

The filter tank assembly is preferably formed from fibre glass or othersuitable material and this may include shellgrit or other suitablefilter media.

Both the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assembly may betransported separately from each other or on a common support base asdescribed above. However, in the case of separate transportation theholding tank body and the filter tank body may be connected in anysuitable manner at the installation site so that the filter tank bodymay be included in a water conditioning circuit which interconnects thefilter tank assembly and the holding tank assembly. In one form this maybe accomplished by connecting a forward line or conduit and a returnline or conduit of the filter tank assembly with a suction line orconduit of the holding tank assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment of the invention asshown in the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a holding tank system constructedin accordance with the invention showing the water conditioning circuit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the holding tank body and waterconditioning apparatus housing carried by a mounting frame or base;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of part of the holding tank showing outletsfor the suction return conduits;

FIG. 4 is a view of a filter for use in the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a valve for use in the waterconditioning apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view of another type of filter for use in the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view of a skimmer assembly for use with the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a view of a refrigeration unit for use with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a view of the holding tank for use with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the mounting base for the holding tankbody;

FIG. 10 is a view of the filter tank for use with the present invention;

FIGS. 11, 11A, 11B and 11C show the method of interconnection betweenthe holding tank body and the filter tank; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic flow diagram of a holding tank system constructedin accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a common support base for both aholding tank assembly and a filter tank assembly;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a holding tank system including a holdingtank assembly, filter tank assembly and associated water conditioningmeans for support on the common support shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a holding tank assembly supported onthe support base shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a filter tank assembly for support on thesupport base shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings there is shown a holding tank system 10 mounted onmounting frame 11. The holding tank system 10 includes holding tank 12,spray nozzle locations 13, outlets 14, manifolds 15 and 16, inletconduits 17 as well as inlet conduit 18, pump 19, refrigerationassemblies 20 and associated conduits 21 and 22, valves 23, drain 24,suction conduit 25, pre-filter 26, suction lines 27 and 28 and skimmeroutlet conduits 29, 30 and 31 and activated carbon filters 32 and 33.

There is also shown filter tank assembly 34 including filter tank 35,mounting frame or base 36, and filter tank return conduit 37 and filtertank forward or exit conduit 38. Both conduits 37 and 38 are shown inphantom and are connected to suction line 25 in a manner describedhereinafter. Mounting frame 36 has four attachment points 39 forattachment to crane hooks (not shown) in a similar manner as describedfor mounting frame 11 in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2 there is shown holding tank assembly 10 and mounting frame 11including longitudinal frame members 40. There are also shown attachmentpoints 41 for crane hooks 42 attached to crane cables 43 which in turnare attached to spreader bar 44A of a crane (not shown). The holdingtank 12 includes mesh screens 43A, 44 and 45 and spray nozzles 46. Thereis also shown housing 47 for the water conditioning apparatus alreadydescribed in relation to FIG. 1. Also shown are longitudinal recesses 48for inlet conduits (I), suction conduits (SU) and skimmer conduits (SK).

In FIG. 3 there is shown an end wall 49 of holding tank 12 havingperforated cylinders 50 which function as outlets of the holding tank12. Skimmer outlets 35B are also shown. Cylinders 50 may be lifted outof tank 12 when required for maintenance purposes.

In the filter shown in FIG. 4 there is shown 2 filter cartridge providedwith an inlet 52 and outlet 53. The inlet 52 leads water into filtercartridge 51 and into compartment 54 filled with activated carbon.Compartment 54 is separated from central passageway 55 by a perforatedwall 56. The perforations in wall 56 serve to allow water to flowtherethrough while retaining the activated carbon in compartment 54. Thefilter cartridge 51 is provided with a lid or cover 57 screw threadedlyattached to the cartridge at 58. This enables the cartridge 51 to besubject to frequent maintenance checks by removal of cover 57 whenrequired. To allow this to be accomplished valves 23 may be incorporatedin the water conditioning circuit with a movable valve stem 23A as shownin FIG. 4A which may be pivoted from an ON position to an OFF positionand vice versa when required. The valve 23 may also include a valve body23B and screw threaded ferrules 23C for attachment to conduit 23D. Thevalve stem 23A has a ball (not shown) at a lower end which mayselectively close or open conduit 23D. The flow of water through thefilter cartridge is shown by the arrows in full outline in FIG. 4.

A modified filter cartridge for use in the invention is shown in FIG. 5.This cartridge 59 includes inlet 52, outlet 53 and cover 57 as describedabove in relation to FIG. 4 as well as a perforated inner body 62located within cartridge 59 and a nylon mesh 63A. The direction of waterflow is clearly shown by the arrows in full outline. The filtercartridge 59 is preferred for use over filter cartridge 51 because itreduces the possibility of sludge forming at a top surface of the waterlevel. Activated carbon particles are retained in chamber 64.

The skimmer assembly 65 for use with the holding tank is shown in FIG.6. This includes an upper tube 66 telescopically engagable in lower tube67 in association with O-ring seal 68. Upper tube 66 is provided with aplurality or scallops or recesses 69 which enhance the flow rate ofliquid through tubes 66 and 67. The skimmer assembly 65 is thus heightadjustable to suit different operative levels of water within holdingtank 12. Lower tube 67 is connected to conduit 70 through the base wall71 of the holding tank 12 as shown. There also may be used a sealingring or gasket (not shown) which surrounds tube 67 as it passes throughbase wall 71.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a typical refrigeration assembly which be usedin the water conditioning circuit. This includes a housing 72, inlet 73,outlet 74, refrigeration evaporator coil 75, temperature probe 76, andbarrel 77 having a series of openings 78 which may range from relativelylarge adjacent end 79 to relatively small adjacent outlet 74. Thisfeature improves the flow water of liquid through housing 72.

In FIG. 8 there is shown the holding tank 12 having a perforated tray 80supported by perforated upstands 81 bonded to base wall 71 by adhesive.The tray 80 supports a layer of filtering material 82 such as shellgritand the like. The holding tank 12 is also supplied with a number ofvertical rise tubes 83 each having a spray outlet nozzle 84.

In FIG. 9 there is shown a sectional view of the mounting frame or base11 with longitudinal recesses 48 for conduits I, SU and SK as previouslydescribed.

In FIG. 10 there is shown a detailed view of filter tank 35 having inlet85 and perforated outlet tube 86. A layer of shellgrit 87 is supportedon perforated tray 88 which is supported on perforated upstands 89bonded to the base surface 90 of tank 35.

In some cases it may be appropriate during installation to removeperforated upstands 81 from holding tank 12 and attach them to filtertank 35 by adhesive so that they correspond to perforated upstands 89.This provides more capacity for holding tank 12.

In FIG. 11 there is shown how existing suction conduit 25 of the waterconditioning apparatus is structured prior to attachment of conduits 37and 38 from filter tank 34. Thus, suction conduit 25 includes T pieces27B and depending portions 27C. Each depending portion 27C includes abarrel union 26A illustrated in detail hereinafter in FIG. 11A andconduit 25 includes barrel unions 26A interconnecting conduit 26B witthe remainder of conduit 25. Each portion 27C includes upper part 25Aand lower part 25B which is plugged at 27D. Barrel unions 26A as shownin FIG. 11A comprise a milled outer or female ferrule 93 with internalthread 93A which may be engaged with inner or male component 94 havingexternal thread 95. Also shown in sealing ring 96.

There is also shown conduit component 92 having a lower flange 91 andtapered part 91A which engages with sealing ring 96 which is retained inrecess 95A of male component 94 surrounding conduit component 94B sothat when male component 94 is connected to female component 93, conduitcompartment 92 communicates with conduit component 94B. In FIG. 11 forexample conduit component 92 corresponds with conduit 25A and conduitcomponent 94 corresponds with conduit 25B.

As shown in FIG. 11B when it is desired to attach conduits 37 and 38 toconduit 25 the central conduit 26B is removed from conduit 25 byunscrewing male components 94 of barrel unions 26A. Subsequently eachlower part 25B is removed by unscrewing inner or male component 94 froma respective female ferrule 93 and discarded. Subsequently centralconduit 26B is cut in half at 26C and each remaining portion 26D isattached to upper part 25A by screw threadedly attaching male component94 to female component 93. Conduits 37 and 38 may then be attached toportions 26D by adhesive or other suitable means.

In FIG. 12 there is described a modified water conditioning apparatusfor use with the present invention. The water conditioning apparatus asshown in FIG. 12 has special application to avoid removal of filteringmedia in the filter tank when this becomes necessary due to theshellgrit or other filtering media in the filter tank becoming blockedresulting in a restricted flow rate with ocean silts. In this regard, itis to be borne in mind that in filter tanks there is often large amountsof filtering material such as 8 tonne or more. It is not a practicalproposition to replace the shellgrit with fresh material or indeed toremove the shellgrit and wash same and then place the washed shellgritin the filter tank. Such a task is extremely labour intensive and verytime consuming and thus is not economic. Washing of existing shellgritin a filter tank can often lead to periods of 3 days or more when thefilter is idle.

The water conditioning apparatus shown in FIG. 12 may assist inovercoming this problem and thus provides a holding tank assemblyincluding

(i) a holding tank assembly;

(ii) a filter tank assembly; and

(iii) water conditioning apparatus which conditions water flowingbetween the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assemblycharacterised in that flow of water through the filter tank assemblywhich occurs when the water conditioning apparatus is in a normaloperative cycle may be reversed to wash the filtering material containedin the filter tank assembly to ensure an unrestricted flow of waterthrough the filter tank assembly.

The reversing of water flow through the filter tank assembly may beaccomplished suitably by providing a fresh water intake which may beintroduced into a conduit associated with a pump of the waterconditioning apparatus and by opening a fresh water intake valve andclosing all normal valves of the water conditioning apparatus to allowwater to flow through a fresh water conduit so that it may enter thefilter tank assembly through the filter tank assembly outlet or othersuitable access location and exit from the filter tank assembly the topthereof. This flow of fresh water through the tank may elevate theshellgrit from the base of the filter tank so that the particles ofshellgrit are thoroughly cleaned. This also maintains existing bacterialculture in the filter tank assembly which grows on the surface of theshellgrit. If the shellgrit is not cleaned at regular intervals theexisting bacterial culture may become impaired or adversely affected bythe abovementioned contaminants.

In this aspect of the invention, suitable there is provided a pluralityof pumps each having a separate inlet conduit to the holding tankassembly whereafter the water may exit from the holding tank assembly bya common outlet. Preferably the fresh water intake is introduced into asuction return line of the water conditioning circuit but this is notessential.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 12 there is illustrated holding tank 12A,spray outlets 13A, manifolds 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D and associated inletconduits 18A, 18R, 18C and 18D each associated with a respective pump19A, 19B, 19C and 19D as shown. Each pump 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D hasassociated therewith a respective valve 22A, 223B, 223C and 223D. Alsowith each manifold 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D is provided a series of inletconduits 100 as shown. There is also shown suction return conduits 225Aand 225B and a skimmer return conduit 29A. Suction return conduits 25Aand 225B pass through valves 101 and 102 and subsequently pass throughfilter tank 35A before passing through outlet conduits 103 and 104 whichcommunicate with refrigerator assembly 20A as shown. There is also shownvalves 105, 106 and 107. After passing through the refrigerator assembly20A conduits 103 and 204 communicate with manifold 108 which formsconduits 18E, 18F, 18G and 18H.

The skimmer return line 29A passes through charcoal filter 32A as shownbefore communicating with line 104 at 109. The conduit or line 29A alsopasses through valves 105A and 106A.

In accordance with this particular aspect of the invention there isprovided a fresh water intake 210 and associated conduit 112 whichpasses through valve 113 into conduit 18E. This is shown in phantomoutline to clearly distinguish from the normal operational cycledescribed above wherein direction of fluid flow is shown by arrows infull outline in the normal operational cycle. The water flow functionsin the same manner as already described in detail in FIG. 1 and asdiscussed above.

In contrast, when it is desired to actuate the circuit for flushing outshellgrit in filter tank 35A, valves 223A, 223B, 223C and 223C areclosed as well as valves 110, 101, 102, 107, 106, and 105. Tis providesa circuit which includes fresh water intake 210, conduit 112, valve 113which is closed during the normal operative cycle, conduit 114, conduit115, conduit 116, conduit 116A, filter tank 35A, conduit 117, valve 118which is closed during the normal operative cycle and drain 119. Conduit116A is part of conduit 103 and is open only when valve 105 is closed.

By the return flow of water which flows along the circuit in phantomoutline, as described above, this enables the shellgrit or otherfiltering material to be easily and efficiently washed and thus thissubstantially minimises the problems of the prior art holding tanksystems as described above.

It will also be appreciated from the foregoing that another aspect ofthe present invention concerns the holding tank assembly per se havingthe aforesaid fixed base or mounting frame thereby providing atransportable assembly. This assembly may be utilised by a holding tankowner using the existing filters that are included in the waterconditioning apparatus (e.g. filters 51 or 59) until such time as thethroughput capacity of the holding tank assembly has increasedsufficiently to warrant use of an external filter tank assembly (e.g.34) which may be connected to the holding tank assembly 11 as describedabove.

Another advantage of the holding tank assembly of the present inventioncompared to the prior art such as Australian Patent Specification 595542is that the holding tank assembly described in that specification inpractice, especially in relation to wholesale applications, hasnecessitated the use of two pumps wherein one pump is included in theskimmer line and the other pump in the inlet line. In contrast thepresent invention, as exemplified in FIG. 1, only requires the use ofone pump and thus in terms of capital outlay is a cheaper proposition.

The invention in another embodiment may include a holding tank systemwhich may comprise a mounting frame or mounting base which may support aholding tank assembly, a filter tank assembly, as well as a housing foraccommodating suitable water conditioning apparatus such as a pump,filters and cooling apparatus inclusive of refrigeration assemblies.This holding tank system may be used in a retail installation which hasa capacity of less than 2.5 tonnes. By contrast the holding tank systemshown in FIGS. 1-11 suitably has a capacity of greater than 2.5 tones.

Preferably a mounting base is utilised on the same type of constructionalready discussed above in FIG. 1-11.

A preferred arrangement of the above described holding tank assembly isshown in FIGS. 13-15.

In FIG. 13 the mounting frame or base 120 includes a plurality oflongitudinal base frame members 121 supported on support blocks 122.Frame members 121 are interconnected by cross members 123. A transverseframe member 124 separates the mounting frame into sub frames 125 and126. Sub frame 126 includes cross members 127 which interconnectlongitudinal frame members 128. There is also shown end frame member 129and frame members 130 located between cross members 127. There is alsoshown frame structure 131 for forming a housing for water conditioningapparatus.

In FIG. 14 the holding tank assembly 159 supportable on mounting base120 includes holding tank 133, filter tank 134, lines 135interconnecting holding tank 133 and filter tank 134, skimmer outlets136, activated carbon filters 137, base outlet strainers 138, carbonsuction 139, pumps 140, 149 and 150, discharge lines 141 151 and 152,suction lines 142 and 148, refrigeration water manifolds 145, 147,refrigerator evaporator housings 146, discharge ball valves 155, drainball valve 144 and associated line 143, isolation ball valves 154 waterinjector manifolds 153, pre filter media 156 and water injectors 157.

In FIG. 15 there is shown holding tank assembly 159 mounted on mountingframe 120. Attachment points 41 are also shown for crane books (notshown). The holding tank 133 includes mesh screens 43A, 44 and 45 andwater injectors 153A. Housing 47A is also shown for the filter tank 134.Also shown are longitudinal recesses 48 for inlet conduits (T) suctionconduits SU and skimmer conduits (SK) already shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 16 there is shown a detailed view of filter tank 134 havinginlets 185 which are the skimmer inlets and 186 which is the dischargeline coming from the carbon pump, and outlet tubes 187.

A layer of shell grit 188 is supported on perforated tray 189 which issupported on perforated upstands 190 bonded to the base surface 191 oftank 134. Above the layer of shellgrit lays a prefilter media 156 whichcatches ocean sediments before it enters the filter bed. This in turnkeeps maintenance of thew filter bed to a minimum by periodicallyremoving the prefilter, washing and placed back on top of the filterbed. At the base of the filter tank underneath the filter tray, there isa water body space 192. This ensures 100 per cent utilisation of thefilter bed without causing any dead spots of bacteria to form. Also itallows a clear flow of water to enter the pumps and finally by havingthe outlets 187 elevated above the base surface 191 it allows anysediments to accumulate at the base surface 191 and therefore thebalance of the system is not disturbed.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the holding tank systemof the invention is readily transportable by providing a transportablebase or frame for both the holding tank assembly as well as the filtertank assembly and also a housing for the water conditioning means. Thismeans that installation can be carried out in minimal time because thetransportable base or frame is an integral part of the holding tanksystem of the invention when it is installed. The transportable base orframe may also function as a skid so that it may readily be shifted fromone location to another without any dismantling being necessary.

The holding tank system of the invention once placed in desired locationin a factor or retail establishment mounted on its mounting frame ormounting base only requires that the holding tank be filled with waterand also that the holding tank system be electrically connected to anappropriate power source before becoming operational which is indistinct contrast with the prior art.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the holding systemmay be fabricated in its entirety prior to delivery to the installationsite which enables quality control procedures or quality controlmanagement systems to be fully utilised prior to delivery.

The invention also includes within its scope a method of installation ofa holding tank system which includes the steps of

(i) mounting the holding tank assembly onto transportable support means,and

(ii) installing the holding tank assembly at an installation site sothat the transportable support means supports the holding tank assemblyand this forms part of the holding tank system.

I claim:
 1. A holding tank system for storage of live seafoodcomprising:(i) a holding tank assembly; (ii) a transportable supportbase for said holding tank assembly, said support base having aplurality of longitudinal frame members and a plurality of transverseframe members interconnecting said longitudinal frame members; and (iii)a plurality of conduits located beneath said support base for liquidcommunication with said holding tank assembly.
 2. A holding tankassembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a filter tank assemblysupported by said transportable support base.
 3. A holding tank systemas claimed in claim 2 wherein said conduits provide liquid communicationbetween said holding tank assembly and said filter tank assembly.
 4. Aholding tank assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said filter tankassembly includes a forward line and a return line and said holding tankassembly includes a water conditioning circuit having a suction lineconnected to said forward line and said return line of said filter tankassembly.
 5. A holding tank system as claimed in claim 1 including anadditional transportable support base which supports a filter tankassembly.
 6. A holding tank assembly as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a housing for water conditioning apparatus supported by saidtransportable support base.
 7. A holding tank system as claimed in claim6 wherein the water conditioning apparatus includes a pump, waterfilters and cooling apparatus inclusive of refrigeration assemblies. 8.A holding tank system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transportablesupport base includes a plurality of attachment points for location ofcrane hooks.
 9. A holding tank system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thesupport base includes a plurality of longitudinal recesses foraccommodation of said conduits.
 10. A holding tank system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the transportable support base includes a plurality oflongitudinal recesses located between adjacent frame members foraccommodations of said conduits.
 11. A holding tank system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the conduits include a suction line , a skimmer line andan inlet line.
 12. A holding tank system as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a water conditioning apparatus for conditioning water flowingbetween the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assembly whereinwater flows through the filter tank assembly in a first direction whenthe water conditioning apparatus is in a normal operative cycle and in asecond, opposite direction when the water conditioning apparatus is in awash cycle to wash the filtering material contained in the filter tankassembly to ensure an unrestricted flow of water through the filter tankassembly.
 13. A method installation of a holding tank system at aninstallation site, the holding tank system including a hold tankassembly having a plurality of conduits, the method comprising the stepsof:(i) mounting the holding tank assembly onto a transportable supportbase having a plurality of longitudinal recesses for accommodating theplurality of conduits of the holding tank assembly beneath saidtransportable support base; and (ii) installing the transportablesupport base at the installation site whereby the transportable supportbase forms a permanent part of the holding tank system.
 14. A method ofinstallation as claimed in claim 13 wherein in step (i) a filter tankassembly is also mounted on the transportable support base.
 15. A methodof installation as claimed in claim 14 wherein in step (i) a housing forwater conditioning apparatus is also mounted on the transportablesupport base.
 16. A method in installation as claimed in claim 15wherein the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assembly aremounted on separate transportable support bases.
 17. A method ofinstallation as claimed in claim 16 wherein the holding tank assemblyand the filter tank assembly are interconnected so that water may flowbetween the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assembly forconditioning of said water at the installation site.
 18. A method ofinstallation as claimed in claim 17 wherein a forward line and a returnline of the filter tank assembly is connected to a suction line of awater conditioning circuit of the holding tank assembly.
 19. A method ofinstallation as claimed in claim 14 wherein the holding tank assemblyand the filter tank assembly are mounted on a common transportablesupport base.
 20. A holding tank system comprising:(i) a holding tankassembly; (ii) a filter tank assembly (iii) a transportable support basefor supporting the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assembly,the support base including a plurality of longitudinal recesses having aplurality of conduits located therebeneath for providing liquidcommunication between the holding tank assembly and the filter tankassembly; and (iv) water conditioning apparatus for conditioning waterflowing between the holding tank assembly and the filter tank assemblywherein water flows through the filter tank assembly in a firstdirection when the water conditioning apparatus is in a normal operativecycle and in a second, opposite direction in a wash cycle to wash thefiltering material contained in the filter tank assembly to ensure anunrestricted flow of water through the filter tank assembly.
 21. Aholding tank system for storage of seafood comprising:a holding tankassembly; a transportable support base for said holding tank assembly,said support base including a plurality of longitudinal recesses; and aplurality of conduits located beneath said support base in saidlongitudinal recesses for liquid communication with said holding tankassembly.